USMEF Hosts Meeting with Key Agricultural Officials from Japan
Published: Jun 28, 2012
Last week USMEF hosted a meeting with top officials from Japan’s Agriculture and Livestock Industries Corporation (ALIC), which plays a critical role in the stability of Japan’s agricultural sector. USMEF and ALIC have a long history of working together on key issues.
“ALIC works very closely with Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture and with the trade in Japan,” said USMEF President and CEO Philip Seng. “We also exchange information on economic trends, trade issues and other factors impacting the market. ALIC has been a very valuable resource and a key partner for USMEF over many years.”
The ALIC officials’ visit to the United States included a wide-ranging overview of the production and processing practices in the U.S. beef and pork industries. They also had opportunities to observe marketing and merchandising techniques for beef and pork in the U.S. retail and foodservice sectors.
“The main focus of this visit was to discuss the economic outlook, not only for beef and pork but also the impact on feedgrain and oilseeds,” Seng said. “Japan is a major importer of many agricultural products and ALIC appreciates USMEF’s perspective on the global market.”
Food safety is always a key issue in Japan, whether the focus is on domestic or imported products. Seng noted that Japanese consumers have historically had an affinity for raw meat products, but tighter regulations are now being imposed on those items due to food safety concerns.
Another key topic of discussion during the visit was animal welfare, which ALIC feels may take on a higher profile in Japan now that major restaurant and retail chains are favoring suppliers that follow particular production practices.
“These meetings are really a very profound and wide-ranging exchange of information between USMEF and ALIC,” Seng said. “This past winter USMEF actually hosted an individual from ALIC who stayed with us for nearly two months. She observed our daily operations, attended industry meetings and gained valuable insights on the U.S. meat industry. This exchange is ongoing and it’s very valuable for all parties.”
Seng added that ALIC officials are often able to provide USMEF with unique insights on the legislative and regulatory environment in Japan.
“ALIC always has a very solid grasp of the background surrounding certain policy decisions and the thinking behind them,” he explained. “This often helps us understand the domestic concerns and circumstances Japan’s policy makers are dealing with, and how those factors impact the international marketplace. When we have questions in that regard, ALIC is one of the first places we turn.”
The ALIC officials’ visit to the United States included a wide-ranging overview of the production and processing practices in the U.S. beef and pork industries. They also had opportunities to observe marketing and merchandising techniques for beef and pork in the U.S. retail and foodservice sectors.
“The main focus of this visit was to discuss the economic outlook, not only for beef and pork but also the impact on feedgrain and oilseeds,” Seng said. “Japan is a major importer of many agricultural products and ALIC appreciates USMEF’s perspective on the global market.”
Food safety is always a key issue in Japan, whether the focus is on domestic or imported products. Seng noted that Japanese consumers have historically had an affinity for raw meat products, but tighter regulations are now being imposed on those items due to food safety concerns.
Another key topic of discussion during the visit was animal welfare, which ALIC feels may take on a higher profile in Japan now that major restaurant and retail chains are favoring suppliers that follow particular production practices.
“These meetings are really a very profound and wide-ranging exchange of information between USMEF and ALIC,” Seng said. “This past winter USMEF actually hosted an individual from ALIC who stayed with us for nearly two months. She observed our daily operations, attended industry meetings and gained valuable insights on the U.S. meat industry. This exchange is ongoing and it’s very valuable for all parties.”
Seng added that ALIC officials are often able to provide USMEF with unique insights on the legislative and regulatory environment in Japan.
“ALIC always has a very solid grasp of the background surrounding certain policy decisions and the thinking behind them,” he explained. “This often helps us understand the domestic concerns and circumstances Japan’s policy makers are dealing with, and how those factors impact the international marketplace. When we have questions in that regard, ALIC is one of the first places we turn.”